One could hear a postseason berth drop in the Ducks locker room after a 5-2 loss to Columbus on Tuesday night.

Most of the players were gone by the time reporters were allowed in as the Ducks had a lengthy meeting after a loss that just might have sunk their season.

Officially, they are seven points out of eighth place in the Western Conference with 16 games remaining. Unofficially, are they done?

"We're in a do-or-die situation," Ryan Getzlaf said. "I think that we've definitely got to get things going. I'm not saying we have to win out but we definitely have to get things rolling and playing the way we want to."

The Ducks begin a four-game road trip tonight, and each game offers an intriguing storyline.

The Ducks will try to rebound tonight against a Minnesota team that is staging its home opener. Thursday features the Ducks against Boston, a popular pick to win it all this season. Saturday offers drama with a game against Chris Pronger and Philadelphia, while Sunday is an always interesting test at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers.

Joe Thornton had a goal and an assist and Dany Heatley had two assists as San Jose spoiled the Ducks' season opener with a 4-1 victory Saturday night at Honda Center.

The Sharks jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Goaltender Evgeni Nabokov made 24 saves.

San Jose scored twice in a span of 1:37 late in the opening period. Patrick Marleau blocked Ryan Whitney's point shot and then sped to a shorthanded breakaway goal. Thornton backhanded the puck past Jonas Hiller on a 3-on-2.

The Sharks thoroughly dominated the second period, holding the Ducks without a shot on goal for the first 18:23, including the entire duration of a Ducks' power play.